Time to start the new year off with a new venue for our group: Stoddard's Fine Food & Ale. They've got a killer beer line-up and bar manager Jamie Walsh (one of the masterminds behind the Greater Boston Beverage Society) stirs up some mean cocktails. Our friends over at Pernod Ricard are adding to the mix, so we can sip from their absinthe fountains, à la our artsy forbears from fin-de-siècle Paris.

For something completely different...this month we'll have our first Charity Punch Bowl Fund. Stoddard's and Pernod will be donating a bowl of punch, which we will then be selling for $5 a glass. 100% of the proceeds of the sale of that punch bowl will go to the charity of our choosing. You get a bargain on a tasty beverage and the money goes to charity; not a bad way to start the new year.

How do we choose a charity? Good question: when you buy a glass (or just donate $5), you get to vote for one of three canddiate organizations. The winning organization gets the whole kit and kaboodle.

Wait...where do the three candidates come from? You get to nominate when you RSVP. The top three organizations from the RSVPs will be featured at the event. We aren't limiting ourselves to arts organizations either -- any 501(c)3 charity can be nominated. We'll accept nominations up to 48 hours prior to the event (i.e. until Sunday at 6pm). NOMINATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED.

Be sure to show up early if you want to vote/drink the punch. Once the bowl is empty, voting is over.

No matter what your interest or experience in the arts may be, you are welcome to join us -- by yourself or with friends. As always, individuals are responsible for running their own tabs at the bar.

Can't make it this month? Make sure you're on the invitation list for next time.